This week is Balance Awareness Week, a week to raise the awareness of the conditions that can affect one’s balance and the importance of something we all too often take for granted.
Close your eyes and stand on one foot. It’s hard right? Now imagine having that same disoriented feeling on two feet, and with your eyes open. Balance is something most of us take for granted. It’s automatically hardwired into our bodies at birth, evolving and adapting as we grow and age. While basic balance is innate, some of us are able to perfect or even master our balance through exercise and practice. We don’t often think about our balance—until of course, we lose it.
There are many different reasons why balance can be a struggle. Some are linked to our vestibular system or inner ear, some can be neurological in origin, affecting our brain and nervous system.
The key reason for loss of balance we see here at goPhysio is ageing. As we age, we often experience a loss of strength and flexibility and a decline in our ability to balance as well. All too often, these are seen as an inevitable part of ageing, but this doesn’t have to be the case.
Balance is something you can train and improve.
Just like muscle strength and flexibility, you can and improve train your balance.
By improving balance, you will:
- Reduce your risk of falling as you get older
- Stay independent for longer
- Keep enjoying being social and active
How can you improve your balance?
- Do some regular exercises to train and challenge your balance safely. These can include standing on 1 leg, going up and down onto your tip toes, standing and closing your eyes, walking a ‘tightrope’ – please get in touch if you’d like more information about some great balance exercises.
- Get out and about and keep mobile, walk on a variety of surfaces and terrains to challenge you!
- Try some regular exercise classes with export support and guidance – our Pilates Classes are perfect.
- Or why not try some of these balance exercises on a little video from Gabby & Sheena
Dizzy?
We also have a number of Therapists trained to use a special treatment for certain types of dizziness, which can also impact your balance. You can read more about what and how we can help here.
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